SUPPORT PERSON
YEAR ABROAD
HERO POINTS
Staff nominates school secretary for award. Scan to watch the video[ NEWS page 6
Junior returns after year in foreign exchange program[
Two writers argue whether HERO points prove beneficial[ OPINION, page 3
FEATURE, page 7
hilights Teacher of the Year for students, by students
Volume 67 ß Issue 1
William R. Boone High School ß1000 E. Kaley St. ßOrlando, FL 32806 Friday, October 12, 2018 + boonepubs.com
Boone High School presents this award to
Cindy Hutsell
Cindy Hutsell earns Teacher of the Year By SAMAR BAIG While Cindy Hutsell never anticipated teaching at the high school level, she couldn’t imagine not teaching now. She also didn’t foresee winning Teacher of the Year. Faculty nominated Hutsell for her devotion to the English department, dedication to forming bonds with her students and desire to expand her knowledge in teaching. “I was completely blown away. What a feeling to be nominated and be selected by your peers. It was a humbling experience in all ways, ” Hutsell said. Hutsell, who began teaching on campus in 2005, currently teaches Advanced Placement Literature, English IV for College Prep and is the 12th grade PLC Team Lead. “I truly love what I do,” Hutsell said. “The key to teaching is respecting students no matter where they are, academically or in life.” Hutsell tries to show her students the value of English Literature and that literature is important despite their interests or future aspirations. “I love seeing my students engaged in the material. I love tackling something they might find boring and making it interesting,” Hutsell said. “I love literature. I believe that it is the reflection of mankind. I think it allows us to experience all facilities to the human condition.” Hutsell prides herself in teaching a subject she is passionate about and constantly finds ways to expand her knowledge. Earlier this summer, Hutsell traveled abroad to Cambridge, England with the English Speaking Union. The prestigious program selected Hutsell to join the group over the summer. The trip aims for teachers to act as students and find a better way to teach their subject in greater detail. “It gave me a deeper knowledge in teaching English Literature. I got to experience what it felt like from a
student’s perspective, rather than my usual spot of being the teacher,” Hutsell said. Aside from academics, Hutsell strives to improve the student and faculty life by coaching varsity cheerleading and organizing Braves Brawl among other extracurricular activities. “Her passion for leadership helps her build relationships with students,” Principal Dusty Johns said. Johns noticed a trend while meeting alumni when he took over as principal four years ago. “I meet adults that come back to Boone and the first thing they tell me is how much they love Ms. Hutsell. To remember her and say to me, a principal they never had, how much they love her is a true indication on how great of a teacher and mentor she is,” Johns said. Last year Hutsell organized the first pep rally in several years, before the annual Battle of the Barrel game. “She is always positive, even though she has a stressful job. She never brings a problem without a solution and that’s what makes her enjoyable to work with. She is dependable and bleeds orange and white,” Johns said Hutsell coaches cheerleading and teaches six classes daily, therefore she constantly surrounds herself with students and cites them as her motivation to keep teaching. “It keeps me young, moving and motivated to find ways to teach the material to my students. My teaching style is relaxed and vigorous, and I’m always looking for ways for my students to understand the material better,” Hutsell said While dedicating her teaching career to furthering students’ understanding of literature, Hutsell also actively supports students involved in school activities and dedicates her spare time to proofread college essays for her students. “I think she is great to get students to go the extra mile. Whether that’s helping them get their college credit in her class or more involved in after school activities,” Johns said
photo/JOHN BURKE
SMILE FOR THE CAMERA. Dusty Johns and Cindy Hutsell pose for a photo after he surprises her with the Teacher of the Year award in her sixth period AP Literature class. “A passion for the subject I teach [motivates me]. It allows us to experience all aspects of humans. I truly love my students,” Hutsell said.
Magnet programs gain new leadership Melissa Barker and Jennifer Williamson begin new roles in magnet programs By JESSICA FULLER At the start of the new year, the magnet programs welcomed two new department heads, Jennifer Williamson and Melissa Barker. Taking over law and criminal justice
ßrandomfact Jack-o’-lanterns were once made out of turnips, beets and potatoes
INDEX opinion special local
respectively, these teachers bring with them years of experience in their fields. Williamson retired on June 1 after serving as a police officer for 21 years with the Orlando Police Department. While employed with OPD, she worked in several units including the patrol and criminal investigations division. “My favorite assignment was my work with the fugitive
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unit because we apprehended the most dangerous suspects and brought a lot of closure to victims and their families,” Williamson said. Similarly, Barker possesses extensive experience in the legal field. She began her career prosecuting for close to three years, worked with private practice for one year and criminal defense for 12 years.
[ NEW MAGNET HEADS, page 6
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insight
hilights
Blood and brutality intended to make attendees fearful eventually isn’t even met with a flinch. Normalizing horror as entertainment strengthens the societal immunity to violence, death and gore. Our View, staff editorial
BRAVES BRAWL BOOSTS SCHOOL SPIRIT Come out Oct. 17 to watch classes and clubs compete with Neverland themed skits on the football field.
Message Horror themed entertainment Kyla McCrary, column
Colleges measure tests too heavily With increasingly rigorous college admissions standards, the application process for high school seniors continues to grow into a frenzy of extracurriculars, competitive test scores and activities to appear unique. Educators continue to move away from book reports and projects to teach classes centralized on standardized tests. Although high schoolers no longer live in the realm of arts and crafts, teachers who use methods other than tests for assessments provide various methods for success. Tests pressure students to memorize material provided, while a project requires students to apply and relate to the subject at hand and learn real world skills such as teamwork and time management. In life beyond high school, select colleges are moving away from required standardized testing. A study by Steve Syverson, assistant Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management at the University of Washington at Bothell; Valerie W. Franks, a consultant; and William C. Hiss, a former dean of admissions at Bates College, released earlier this year showing that standardized testing failed to find all talented applicants. They argue that students who opt out of sending standardized test scores are moving to a less narrow approach to success. The study showed another benefit of shifting to test optional, an increase in minority applicants. Standardized tests such as, End of Course Exams and End of Year Exams, do not consider the rigorous elements that can affect a student. An off day mixed with multiple rigorous classes and testing anxiety can send scores plummeting. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America classifies testing anxiety as a form of performance anxiety. This anxiety can be caused by a fear of failure and a poor testing history. Someone who does well in class is still at risk for failing if they hold themselves to the highest standard. High schoolers are pushed to excel in multiple college level classes and participate in sports just to appear competitive. In the OCPS, teachers are required to administer end of year tests, weather this be created at the state or county level. AP classes require a college board exam, which hold no bearing on a students grade. The EOC or EOY, however, plays a large factor in ones grade. Some tests allow teachers to create their own curve, meaning a student who scored an 85 at one school could have gotten a 60 at another, rendering these tests useless in comparison of school or students. The best option remains a teacher choice end of year assessment, weather this is a test created by the teacher or a project designed to measure students’ knowledge.
spreads negative trends
With long days crawling into long nights, the sunny summer disposition of teenage hangouts screeches to a halt. Around this time of year, numerous aspects Horror of teenage social interaction emerge youth in themed unpleasant mind altering stimulation. media is a deterrent Yet, from Halloween Horror Nights and on teenage slasher flicks to haunted houses and ghost tours, brains and a majority of participants affected do not enjoy should being scared. They merely fear not fitting in not be more than the horror surrounding them. publicized As the horror genre of entertainment grows as a social in popularity, the hunger of wanting to fit in gathering. overpowers any hesitance to attend, and the negative-side effects of doing so are neglected. The gruesome actions or aggression, that at first seem startling and extreme, become normal. Blood and brutality that used to make attendees hide eventually isn’t even met with a flinch. At the end of the fright, normalizing horror as entertainment strengthens the societal immunity to violence, death and gore. Nevertheless, the problem seldom draws concerned attention from the public. In fact, on almost every broadcasting channel, horror immersion is passed off as a welcome seasonal pastime. Society, as a whole, refuses to acknowledge that the vast majority of recreational interests in October are forms of horror entertainment. Refusing to distinguish potentially harmful activities, the media advocates that all horror-based events in October just add to the fun of fall. While different forms of entertainment affect the brain differently, depending on how extreme they are, they fall under the same category. No activity in particular is less negative than another, and the media cannot continue to accept the damage as an unusual circumstance. Michael Grabowski, the editor of the textbook ‘Neuroscience and Media: New Understandings and Representations’ believes that in the near future, filmmakers will be able to use more precise insight to directly stimulate certain emotions, manipulating the audience to
Here’s what some of your peers had to say on the topic.
Send letters to the editor to HiLights, 1000 E. Kaley St., Orlando, FL 32806, or drop off in Room 224. You can also send to boonepubs@gmail. com. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. To be considered for print, all letters must be signed and cannot contain libelous information.
Horror media’s affects comes down to tolerance
succumb or become accustomed to any trigger of their choosing. Although some claim this control will not create a greater sense of violence, the furthered desensitization of society cannot be afforded. With film makers and event coordinators wielding the ability to choose what violence is being displayed and how their audience reacts, they shape the way participants respond to similar depictions in real life. Continuing to advocate events like Halloween Horror Nights or ghost tours reinforces the idea that simulated violence has no effect, which couldn’t be further from the truth. Continuous exposure to experiences of terror can lead to serious side effects later in life including reliving traumatic experiences, fainting, seizures and heart attacks. Not to mention that attendees face an increased susceptibility to depression and development of serious disorders, such as paranoia. From here on out, teens need to take into consideration that these effects are not new, nor do they stop after the event ends. When the characters remove their masks, the designated night of fright is over, but the torment and turmoil within will only grow. Until these issues are met with inhibition, the desensitization will continue to flourish.
I think it depends on what you can handle and your tolerance for potentially upsetting, gory and scary content. I believe it all has to do with your individual taste as a person, and whether or not you can handle seeing upsetting images and not being too affected by them. I don’t think [horror] necessarily is good for teens and young kids because their brains aren’t finished developing, and that’s probably not something that they want hardwired in [their brain] for the rest of their lives, seeing as how kids are usually very impressionable.
Addison Fry, freshman
Horror provides a thrill
I feel like we get a kick from the thrill of it since teens are usually always looking for something to do or have “fun” to keep us entertained. We also get a feeling off of other people’s reactions to getting scared as a means of entertainment.
Talitha Uccello, senior
Horror media is just another ongoing trend
I personally don’t like horror, but I feel like horror excites most teens. I really don’t understand why, but so many people find horror “fun.” I think the media gets more people into horror because especially with teens, whatever one person find interesting, pretty soon everyone finds it interesting. I think this explains why so many people are going to Halloween Horror Nights this year. Teens claim they like being scared, but maybe they just want to go because their friends are going.
Emma Summer, freshman
Horror media is manipulative I would say it’s a controlled way to get in touch and mess around with your fear in a safe way. Like a fear playground.
Spencer Griffith, freshman
Horror leads to violence
Horror themed media is a very controversial topic. In my opinion, one should wait until a certain age before they are introduced to horror. It should also be seen in moderation.
ßbeheard Send letters to the editor to HiLights, 1000 E. Kaley St., Orlando, FL 32806, or drop off in Room 224. You can also send to boonepubs@ gmail.com. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. To be considered for print, all letters must be signed and cannot contain libelous information.
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POSITIVE
Faculty launches students from zero to
ßpublicforum How do you think horror themed media affects you or other teens?
IF YOU WERE A TEACHER, WOULD YOU GIVE HERO POINTS? “I would use Hero because if I told kids that if they behave, they would get points, they would listen more.” Daniel De Jesus, sophomore
NEGATIVE
I personally believe that consuming yourself in horror can cause you to be a more violent person and be ok with living a more vicious life.
viewpoint
McCrary
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hilights insight
Hero points to negative consequences
HeroK12 regards extrinsic values instead of intrinsic values.
By CAROLINE CASOLA Positive reinforcement training for a dog utilizes praise or treats to reward him for exercising compliance toward his owner’s commands. The “carrots and sticks” method proves effective for animals (who do not possess a moral compass of the same caliber as humans’,) but when implemented in high schools, its effects are not only futile, but harmful. HeroK12, a behavior management software recently introduced on campus, allows teachers and administrators to keep a digital record of behavioral incidents. Hero’s proponents cite the system’s quantitative tracking plan and its emphasis on a positive school environment as reasons to employ it in classrooms. However, when implemented, the software lacks human discretion, rewards expected behavior and regards extrinsic compensation over intrinsic values. Meritocracy in schools require teachers to focus on standardized assessments, demanding rubric-based strategies for success. In fact, a Council of the Great City Schools study found that a typical student takes 112 mandated standardized tests between ages 4 and 18. Behavior tracking proves yet another way to enact the “one size fits all” ideal in schools. It reduces behavior to a numbers system, rather than offering a personalized approach. Hero documents the demerits of a student’s misbehavior, but fails to consider why one acted in such a way, until the behavior spirals out of control. Teachers add and subtract points with simple a click of a button and often do not speak with the student directly about the incident. Author Eric Jensen’s book “Teaching with Poverty in Mind: What Being Poor Does to Kids’ Brains” proves that student-teacher communication leads to exceptional behavior. He cites that, “the relationships that teachers build with students form the single strongest access to student goals, socialization, motivation and academic performance.” Through an app, teachers lose the ability to work out complications directly. Furthermore, the system recognizes students for completing tasks that meet minimal expectations, like completing homework or arriving to class on time. While it may feel worthwhile in the short run, if a student relies on rewards every time she raises her hand, she will find difficulty adjusting if the bribe no longer exists. In other words, when teachers offer prizes in return for good behavior, they create a peculiar sense of entitlement in students. Thus, Hero values instant gratification over intrinsic rewards. The TED Talk, “The Puzzle of Motivation” explains that carrots and sticks methods do not encourage people to perform at peak efficiency in creative tasks, but rather, the opposite. Compensation for productive behavior cheapens the intrinsic merit of becoming a valued citizen. The “Overjustification Effect” explains that offering excessive external rewards for an already internally rewarding behavior reduces intrinsic motivation. The satisfaction of self respect offers a far greater reward than behavior points. Students need to find motivation within, instead of confining to a digital program.
App gives school the power to change
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By KAITLYN CONNOLLY If the government implemented a five-dollar fine each time cake was eaten, citizens would initially consume less. However, as time progresses the fine would not be enough to deter them from consuming other unhealthy food. They may make a switch to eating cookies or ice cream, but the negative behavior would not stop. Punitive measures rarely produce positive outcomes. Rather than reinforce a fear or tax-based behavior system, HeroK12 utilizes positive reinforcement. The app, commonly referred to as “Hero,” allows teachers and administrators to award points for positive student activity and participation. After collecting enough points, students can redeem prizes created by their peers such as an administrative excused detention, golf cart rides to class and 20 percent off a homecoming ticket. While Hero is marketed as a positive behavior system, it also allows administrators to record tardiness and other negative behaviors. For some, this tracking system increases punishment, so smaller offenses become more serious affairs. Yet for the majority, the inclusion lets staff analyze overall trends in student behavior and shift their attention to adapting management for school-wide improvement. According to the National Association of School Psychologists, “research on Positive Behavior System (PBS) effectiveness showed that there was over a 90 percent reduction in problem behavior in over half of the studies and the problem behavior stopped completely in over 26 percent of the studies.” Changing the approach to behavior management levels the playing field for kids, giving them a reason to change their actions. The actions of a few cannot dictate the treatment of the majority. With each assigned point, students and teachers establish a positive relationship that allows them to initiate a conversation with students to ensure that their learning does not falter. This strengthened dynamic assures a healthier, more productive learning environment that leads to success one usually wouldn’t correlate with behavior correction. In fact, a study of 22 New Hampshire schools found that after only two years of implementation, 73 percent of PBS schools increased math scores on standardized tests without using a new strategy. Previously, the divide between parental and teacher expectations vary, but with few reliable channels of communication, vital information often comes too late for either side to do anything. With Hero, all parents have access to instant notifications, via SMS, of their student’s data- good and bad behavior activity, school schedule, upcoming events and awards. To test this updated form of communication, Columbia University conducted a field test across 22 middle and high schools, “researchers sent automated text-message alerts to parents about their child’s missed assignments, grades and class absences. The intervention reduces course failures by 39 percent and increases class attendance by 17 percent.” Fredrick Douglas once said that, “it is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men,” and HeroK12 gives users the means to do so. By strengthening campus culture, tracking behavior changes, and connecting the average parent to the reality of their child’s behavior, Hero lays the foundation for a stronger, more effective future on and off campus. In the end, for this to happen everyone must be willing to implement the system.
Madeline West, junior
Why do you think we use hero?
Horror creates affect
I think horror themed media creates sense of paranoia within teens, due to the conflicting viewpoints in our society, with crime and violence being at its peak. Now, don’t get me wrong, the creativity that goes into creating a horror show or film is to be admired, however, this certain genre has easily affected teens nationwide and has even influenced them to do insane things, that simply can’t be undone. For example, the case about the teen who repeatedly stabbed her friends due Slender man, a fictional character in a horror game and now movie, influenced her to kill her innocent friends at the time. This just goes to show that sometimes these so called, “made up” stories can truly create a larger than life affect on teens nationwide.
Anabella Calderon, freshman
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HeroK12 improves school culture and enforces positive behavior in a safe, effective way.
Schools
“It’s nice to be able to get to know the kids that are behaving and reward those not always recognized.” -Michelle Perez, Dean
hilightsnewspaper EDITORIAL BOARD Editor-In-Chief Kyla McCrary Jr. Editor-In-Chief Chelsi Peter Business Manager Samar Baig Editorial Editor Kaitlyn Connolly Index, News Editor Caroline Casola
STAFFERS Samantha Otero, Ainsley Powers, Ashley Troy, Jessica Fuller, Sariah Symington
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Adviser Bridgette Norris
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“It gives parents a peek at a student’s behavior during a typical school day- the part of her that I don’t get to see.” -Lorraine Kessler, Mother
Editorial Policy POLICY STATEMENT
Hilights is a student publication of William R. Boone High School, 1000 E. Kaley Ave., Orlando, Florida, 32806. The ideas and views of the aforementioned students and faculty are not those of Boone or the Orange County School Board. Opinions expressed in unsigned editorials are those of the editorial board, who determine the content. Opinions expressed in columns are those of the authors. Comments, letters, stories and ideas are welcome and encouraged under the following: 1. The material is not obscene or libelous 2. The material is signed The staff reserves the right to edit letters for grammar, length, punctuation, accuracy, invasion of privacy and potential disruption of the school.
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“If a student is acting up in one class, Hero points can track if they’re acting up in another.” -Emily Pejman, Sophomore SCHOLASTIC ASSOCIATIONS
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specialfeature
hilights “I have heard many complaints from people saying that paper straws are so annoying and gross, but that is just because they are used to being pampered with plastic straws.”
Friday, October 12, 2018 boonepubs.com
hilights specialfeature ANNUAL CLASS KICKBALL GAME
WHAT SHOULD PEOPLE KEEP IN MIND ABOUT THE RED TIDE?
On Oct. 18, sophomore class will host the annual class kickball game.
Things are going on that we are not aware of. We hear about plastic in the ocean and factory pollution, but in cases like this we do not know what to do. Lily Renda, junior
Grace Herlong, senior
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Toxicity blooms
on the coast Algae concentration in the Gulf Coast affects wildlife, humans
The Last Straw Students advocate for the elimination of single-use plastic By CAROLINE CASOLA More than 150 tons of plastic fills the world’s oceans, according to the Ocean Conservancy. However, campus environmental clubs hope to create change. Over the past year, the movement to ban straws expanded from Florida’s coast to inland areas. Several businesses jumped on board with the “No Straw St. Pete Campaign.” Major companies including Starbucks and Hyatt Hotels vow to make environmentally conscious decisions. Starbucks will manufacture straws with materials like paper and compostable plastic and switch cup lids to a recyclable plastic. Instead of extinguishing all plastic straws from its property, Hyatt Hotels will make the straws available upon request. Disney companies plan to limit the use of plastic straws throughout various establishments. On a smaller scale, a student activist group at a local high school, called Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, worked to eliminate straws and plastic utensils in nine schools located in Waldo County, Maine. Similarly, student leaders of the Boone Ocean Activists Club support strides to improve the ecosystem. This year, they hope to pursue causes that eliminate the use of plastic, through fundraisers and beach clean ups. In fact, plastic straws made the Ocean Conservancy’s top 10 list of most common items found during beach clean ups. Students can eliminate waste if they do not purchase the products in the first place. Straws provide no benefit for the environment. Scientists found plastic remnants in 59 percent of sea birds, like albatross and pelicans, and in 100 percent of sea turtle species. “I have heard many complaints from people saying that paper straws are so annoying and gross, but that’s just because they are used to being pampered with plastic straws. Students should make an effort to avoid using plastic and invest in reusable items like Tupperware,”
By KAITLYN CONNOLLY Along the southern border of Florida, thousands of fish, manatee and turtles float belly-up to the sea’s surface, rotting in sheer masses, emitting a dangerous neurotoxin. The Floridian coast, renowned as a prime spring break location, is being overtaken. The culprit, a microscopic algae called Karenia Brevis, can deplete oxygen in the water, lowering oxygen levels so severely that animals either evacuate the area or die. The bloom also produces toxins that affect the central nervous system of fish and other vertebrates, making shellfish dangerous to eat. When ingested, through direct contact or assimilation, the algae can cause Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning and mild respiratory illnesses in humans. “Everything is connected. Even if it’s just one fish, it affects the whole ecosystem. If we want to still have beautiful beaches in Florida, everyone can play a part,” Advanced Placement Environmental Science teacher Allyssa Taylor said. K. brevis can use at least 12 sources of nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients, including humancontributions like run-off. However, the algae bloom exists in southwest Florida at all times in the year. Red tides, heavy concentrations of K. brevis that tint the water an orange color, actually happen quite frequently. After the algae start to bloom in the fall, the tide lasts between a few days or months. The current red tide, the worst on record in over a decade, continues to dominate the coastal areas, and at a significant cost. This Red Tide already reflects a loss of over 2,000 tons of marine life, not including dead fish collected from privately owned canals. In August, the clean up price tag weighed in at around six million dollars of taxpayer money, but that number continues to grow today. Locally, airborne red tide toxins can travel up to a mile inland, so even those not located directly on the beach feel its effects on their lungs and in their wallet. However, extending past the affected areas, a majority of the population has no idea that it’s happening. “A lot of people don’t know about the issues until they’re presented to them. It’s the small things that come from being educated about the issues that make a difference,” senior Science National Honor Society member Aaron Jalca said. There is a multitude of ways for people to get involved. On campus, students can enroll in Environmental Science. Or take action into their own hands by joining Ocean Activists, Environmental or Bird Club, that work directly with the community to protect wildlife. “We try to let people know what’s going on in our environment and get them involved in helping the community. There’s more to be done than attending a club meeting and buying a t-shirt,” Bird Club president Russell Dagon, senior, said. However, supporting the environment does not have to involve a hands-on approach. For example, the common snook, a popular sport fish that the 2017-2018 bloom affected, is now at risk. By choosing to Adopt-A-Snook, anyone can help to support a snook restocking initiative by Coastal Conservation Association Florida, FWC and Mote. The two-year initiative intends to raise and release 10,000 snook along Florida’s southwest coast and will launch in April 2019. To support the enhancement project, CCA Florida renewed the Adopt-ASnook program, giving everyone the opportunity to join in the rebuilding efforts. Donors will receive an adoption certificate including the tag number and release location of their adopted juvenile snook as well as receive updates on their fish based on the data collected from the PIT tags. The PIT tags will also transmit data to Mote marine scientists through 2021 that can aid in their Red Tide research. The actions of individuals across the state impact wildlife and the surrounding environment. Preventive measures taken ensure that the beaches remain accessible to everyone when the next getaway weekend or senior skip day occurs. As coastal conditions worsen, it’s more than just bottoms up for the Sunshine State, and it’s not over yet.
senior Grace Herlong and Ocean Activists Club Vice President said. Research from the Freedonia Group, an industry studies company, found that in 2017, Americans used about 390 million straws a day. In fact, it takes 200 years for them to decompose. In other news, it takes plastic bottles 450 years. AP Environmental Science teacher and Ocean Activists Club sponsor Lisa Maccarone explains that a big reason plastic waste has gotten so large is how America produces products. Manufacturers switched to cheaper materials like plastics and now we have a lot of single-use items. They will break and need replacement. Therefore, the simplest way to reduce plastic pollution is to reject the use of those singleuse plastics, like straws. At restaurants, students can request drinks with no straws before they order. Another way to combat this problem is to use reusable straws. Reusable stainless steel or glass straws can be used, cleaned, and reused repeatedly. When purchased in a pack, they usually cost $1 to $2 each. Students can purchase a set of eight stainless steel straws on Amazon for $8. The pack includes two brushes to clean, four straight straws and four bent straws. The package offers a strong alternative to plastic straws. Yet, proponents of straw preservation believe that the elimination will not make a significant impact. Straws make up only 4 percent of plastic waste. “I think because there are so many other plastic wastes, there won’t be immediate change, but [eliminating straws will create] one less thing in the ocean,” Maccarone said. Others worry that the replacement of plastic straws with paper ones discriminate those with disabilities. Advocates for people with disabilities say that plastic single-use straws are essential tools that allow people with limited mobility to drink. However, many businesses offer plastic straws upon request to fulfill special needs. “The elimination of plastic straws, will lead to the beautification and preservation of the ocean and ecosystems,” senior and Ocean Activists treasurer Amanda Smith said.
Environmental Club impacts the future Students advocate for the elimination of plastic in society, assists in campus recycling efforts By AINSLEY POWERS In an effort to reduce waste on campus, Environmental Club works to eliminate recyclable material that students and faculty produce. Club sponsor Wendy Earnest assigns each member a building to find recycled material in each classroom that would otherwise go to a landfill. “All the recycling on campus is done by Environmental Club and without the club, it would all be thrown away,” sophomore Julia Jamieson and Vice President of Environmental Club, said. Although 75% of America’s waste is recyclable, society only recycles around 30% of it, according to Rubicon Global, a sustainability organization. Moreover, 9 out of 10 people believe they would recycle if it was easier. Students go around to buildings weekly to collect the waste. “We make an impact on campus every week. By diverting hundreds of pounds of waste that will be repurposed into something new and we are promising sustainability and helping the environment weekly,” Jamieson said. According to Brigham Young University research, Americans use 2.5 million plastic bottles every hour and they throw most of them away. Furthermore, the recyclable materials in the U.S. waste stream will generate over $7 billion if people recycle them. The club members work on campus projects such as volunteering at Clean The World, a recycling organization that works toward reversing materials and helps developing countries through redistribution, and Green Up Boone. “[We work on] creating community service projects to clean up beaches and parks,” sophomore Julia Mortensen and Historian of Environmental Club, said.
While the club members hold a passion for environmental causes, they also receive community service hours each week and for each project, which gives students between 36 to 40 hours of community service annually. “It’s nice to get community service hours and help the community with recycling,” sophomore Derek Kleinrichert said. Along with community service, environmental club offers a learning experience the different ways students can impact the environment in a positive way. “I think I learn a lot about the environment and how we help the environment. I think I’ll be able to use the things I learned from environmental club and apply it in real life,” Kleinrichert said. Club members focus mainly on recycling, but also plan to start new projects that will benefit campus and the outside community. Around 20 years ago, Ernest wanted to make a difference on campus through recycling when she established the club. She wants to pass the love she has for the environment on to her students. “I’d like to focus on local issues, particularly invasive species,” club founder and sponsor Ernest said. The number of club members fluctuates from year to year. However, more students become interested with the environment and what affects it, as more environmental issues arise in the media. “I think a lot of times students get busy with things. There are a lot of students [in the club] with AP classes and other clubs,” Ernest said. The club also focuses on teaching students about the value of the environment and what impacts the environment. “You don’t realize how much you use and how much of that is recycled,” Mortensen said. The club works make a difference on campus and outside of campus with its club members. Students receive the opportunity to learn about the environment and what impacts it as well how it contributes to campus health.
#fastfigures
450
YEARS TO DECOMPOSE PLASTIC
9.12
POUNDS OF TRASH GENERATED PER PERSON DAILY
390
STRAWS USED BY AMERICANS DAILY
2,000
TONS OF MARINE LIFE AFFECTED BY RED TIDE
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HOMECOMING DANCE Every year, anybody on the staff can nominate anybody. I hope [the faculty nominated me] because I am doing a good job.
has worked alongside Wiley since June. “If I have a question in the front [desk]. I will go into her office and ask what she would do,” Melendez-Cubero said. By ASHLEY TROY Wiley began working on campus in 1999 and became Staff members describe Wiley as kind and reliable in all secretary in 2006. situations which may be the reason they nominated her as She plays a role in several different aspects of campus. Support Person of the Year. Yet despite her years of experience, she says she still learns “Every year, anybody on the staff can nominate from her job every time she walks through the school anybody. I hope [they nominated me] because I am doing a doors. great job,” Wiley said. “[I learned] to work well with people. To listen to their However, this isn’t the first time her colleagues problems and help them out usually gets the job done,” nominated her. Wiley previously won the award in 2006. Wiley said. “She is the go-to. [Administration] goes to her for Wiley interacts with all staff members and acts as a the answer with all of their liaison between faculty and questions. They go to Johns if he is unavailable. her for an explanation for Wiley also schedules meetings everything,” Principal Dusty and assists in helping new Johns said. “She keeps me staff members adjust to the together. Keeps me focused school. and organized.” “[She has] been here for Wiley’s job as school many years, a lot of people secretary requires her to know her. [She] has helped work closely with Johns and a lot of people throughout serve as a key player in daily the years,” Melendez-Cubero operations. In emergency said. situations, like a lockdown Four years ago when or lockout, Wiley answers Johns became the principal, emails and calls. Wiley feared she would lose “She is a calm voice that photo/ASHLEY TROY her job due to the change in takes on all emotions [on the BUSY BUSY BRAVE. Debra Wiley works on her computer and leadership. However, Johns answers the phone while assisting Principal Dusty Johns. phone.] She is the one that said he could not imagine handles the solution,” Johns the school without Wiley as said. secretary. Her role requires her to work with staff members, “The thing we laugh about now the most is her thinking especially with school clerk Eliana Melendez-Cubero who she would lose her job,” Johns said.
Debra Wiley wins Support Person of the Year for the second time
Students reacted to Barker and a mock trial class with open minds and positive attitudes. “She’s our captain and our [mock trial] sponsor [and] she’s been a really good educator. She’s very knowledgeable about the law [and] she provides a lot of organizational structure,” senior law magnet student Jordan Cutter said. With new leadership underway, one can expect new opportunities outside of school to arise in both magnets. “I hope to bring some more trips to the program, field trips that will get the students to see some places where the criminal justice system is actually at work,” Williamson said. The hands-on experiences these trips offer will allow students to see criminal justice in their community. Students have their own ideas of the locations these trips will include. “I hope she takes us to OPD headquarters or a prison, so kids will become interested in criminal justice by going on these trips,” sophomore Criminal Justice student Lisuaneth Delgado Carabello said. Instead, both Barker and Williamson hope to maintain the magnet program’s prestige. “The program is very successful now, we have 146
Kiss the Pig raised $4,500. The proceeds create Thanksgiving baskets, which are distributed next month.
students in the program so I just hope to introduce the students to new topics as new topics evolve in the criminal justice system. This year we already had a speaker come in on body cameras because it’s a hot topic,” Williamson said. As for law, the mock trial schedule adjusted and now uses time throughout the day. Whereas before it was an optional extracurricular activity, it is now offered as a class. Devoting seventh period to mock trial ensures all students are available for practice every day of the week. Due to the necessity of being in class, students will be able to work on more trials and spend time working together. “Hopefully we’ll be able to do more mock trials, because I really like the interaction process that helps with learning. I hope she’ll continue to challenge the team and push us to go beyond our comfort zone to better ourselves,” Cutter said. For Barker, the mock trials are equally as enjoyable. “It’s exciting to watch them learn to make an argument and question witnesses like real attorneys,” Barker said. Aside from the addition of seventh period, mock trial is the elimination of panty hose from the professional attire requirement. “It’s just archaic and they’re uncomfortable and we live where the heat index is often over 100 degrees,” Barker said. Both teachers hope to leave an impact without enforcing major changes but offering additional opportunities.
Last Year, New School Seniors transfer for their last high school year By Taylor Clark As seniors relish in their last year of high school, many are experiencing their last moments on campus while 13 seniors are experiencing these moments for the first time. This year, Boone welcomes 13 senior transfers who are adjusting to campus for the first time. These adjustments involve experiencing school traditions, like senior snakes, and learning about various extracurricular activities. “It’s been the year of my life [so far],” senior Paul Coutinho said. The traditions are part of the reason why Coutinho transferred from Winter Park. Additionally, Coutinho’s dad graduated from Boone and grew up in the surrounding area. Although a new student, these factors help to expand Coutinho’s social life, both inside and outside of
school. “[Boone] expanded my social life because football [allowed me to make] new friends,” Coutinho said. Though transferring to a new school senior year can prove difficult, senior Skye-Anna Oppel thinks it encourages students like her to explore different interests and meet new people. “[My favorite thing about the school is the] football games and clubs,” Oppel said. Oppel’s mom is a teacher at her former high school, which gave her the option to stay as a student there, but she decided to try a new setting instead. “[The hardest part of the transfer has been] adjusting to new people but everyone is super friendly,” Oppel, a transfer student from Lake Nona, said. Oppel thinks the move encourages her to be more outgoing and step out of her comfort zone. “I have to go out of my way to talk to people cause I’m newer but it’s made
me more confident,” Oppel said. While transferring within the county presents obstacles, those transferring from private to public schools face a variety of other challenges. Orange County Public Schools requires students to take standardized tests that not all private schools require, such as FSA and PERT. Senior Carter Davis transferred from The First Academy and experiences different challenges than Coutinho and Oppel. When he transferred, he quickly became aware he would have to take and pass multiple standardized tests that impact the rest of his senior year. “I was a bit concerned because I was really unsure about what these tests actually had on them content wise, and it was really stressful trying to make sure I passed,” Davis said. Instead of falling into a senioritis trend, the new setting motivates these students to expand their social life through extracurricular activities.
Junior returns after year abroad Foreign exchange student reflects on experience in Denmark
photo/JOHN BURKE
SMILE FOR THE CAMERA. Principal Dusty Johns awards Debra Wiley Support Person of the Year. Wiley previously won in 2006.
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KISS THE PIG RAISES $4,500 IN FIVE DAYS
The homecoming dance is on Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. in the gym.
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Debra Wiley, secretary
Wiley earns support person award
NEW MAGNET HEADS
Friday, October 12, 2018 hilights.org
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photo/JESSICA FULLER
HELPING HAND. Melissa Barker walks around her Comprehensive Law class, giving her students tips on their group projects.
By Samantha Otero After spending a year in Denmark for a foreign exchange program, Sierra Tagman returned home to America for her junior year. In the program, students from different countries temporarily exchange homes. Tagman switched with a male from Denmark named William Theison. Both Tagman and Theison each learned the language of the respective countries they were living in. Learning Danish proved difficult for Tagman as 86 percent of the people in Denmark speak English. Despite this, Tagman now fluently speaks the language. “The hardest thing is that they mostly speak English. Once I got past that, it was easier to learn,” said Tagman. Being away from the United States for a whole year required Tagman to immerse herself in the culture, learning about their customs and way of life. “I learned the language around December after five months. I adjusted a lot more to their sayings and culture,” Tagman said. The schooling in Denmark differed from what Tagman experienced in the United States. The course options remain similar but teachers rotate throughout the day. The same kids are with each other throughout the entire day. The structure of the class focuses more on assignments than tests. “It is probably easier [for me over in Denmark] because there are no tests and it is easier [for me] to study,” Tagman said. The Tagman family remained in touch and would FaceTime almost every Sunday. However, Tagman’s temporary absence from home left room to welcome Theison. In addition to becoming fluent in the language, the foreign exchange program gave Tagman an opportunity to share unique experiences with the citizens of Denmark and other exchange students. “I learned to be more open minded, about different customs and traditions and I learned more about my surroundings,” Tagman said. “It made me more accepting of other people and [I started] looking at other people photo courtesy/Sierra Tagman uniquely instead of seeing COPENHAGEN OUT. Junior Sierra Tagman tours Copenhagen, the others in a negative way.” capital of Denmark while participating in a foreign exchange program. Living in a foreign country allowed Tagman to mature as she was miles away from her parents and living with host parents. The experience pushed Tagman outside of her comfort zone allowing her to form new relationships. The people Tagman met while abroad came from different backgrounds and cultures, giving her a new perspective on the world.
1.8 percent of 693 seniors on campus this year are transfer students from other high schools either in the county, in state or out of state.
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Friday, October 12, 2018 boonepubs.com
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Mission Kitchen serves vegan authentic Mexican favorites
Downtown’s newest Tin & Taco provides exquisite flavors
By SAMAR BAIG Driving down 25th St., off Orange Blossom Trail, it is easy to pass Mission Kitchen’s rusty pastel blue food truck, which is indistinguishable from the abandoned cars surrounding it. Once discovered and walking to the truck, every customer is greeted by a pastel blue garage with picnic benches and tables. While there is no parking lot in the front, there is street parking and nearby parking lots one can park his car. The Mission Kitchen staff depicts an ambience, from the first interaction to the last. The staff is able to walk one through each item on the menu especially if one has food restrictions, allergies or questions regarding vegan substitutes. The menu lies right in front of the big window of the food truck. Each item ranges from $1.50 to $8. Although the prices may seem affordable some of the portions of the items are smaller than expected. For the price of $2, the size of a taco is about the size of the cap on a jar of jelly and customers must order more than one taco to feel full. Similar to their nonvegan counter parts, Mission Kitchen serves over 20 authentic vegan Mexican cuisine items. The truck offers a variety of appetizers, entrees and desserts perfected to fit both authentic Mexican and vegan cuisine. The Nachos Supreme ($5), an upscale take on regular nachos, includes fresh chips corn topped with black beans, pico de gallo, vegan cheese and cashew cream. The vegan cheese is slightly spicy and the fresh vegetables come together to make a delicious appetizer. The specialty tacos, in other words are a flavor explosion. Inside contains different types of extravagant flavors such as jackfruit ($3) and vegan BBQ held in a corn tortilla ($3). Although the vegan cheese served at Mission Kitchen taste similar to regular melted cheese, it is slightly spicier than normal. This adds to the flavor of dishes such as the nachos or the burrito to push them over the top of the flavor scale. On the side of each entree, customers have the option of choosing the chipotle ranch sauce. The spicy and creamy consistency the sauce contains pairs perfectly with the California burrito ($8). For dessert, customers have the option of choosing between five flavors of coconut based vegan ice creams. While the ice cream flavors are all tasty in their own way, the coconut base leaves a mild chalky aftertaste. Customers can also choose from five drinks: seasonal fruit drinks, watermelon and pineapple fresas ($2), Virgin Sangria ($2) and Horchata ($2). On a hot day, the watermelon and pineapple fresas are sweet and refreshing. It is hard for one to pace themselves because of the addictive taste of real fruit and sweetness. Each sip is addictive causing customers to want more and more with each sip, and soon the drink would disappear without a trace. Mission Kitchen is a family friendly food truck with a tasty option for anyone who walks up to the truck. Each item was carefully created to embody both a tasty vegan meal and an authentic Mexican favorite.
By CHELSI PETER Among an array of taco joints in the downtown and downtown south area, Tin & Taco adds its own unique flare to the mix. Tin & Taco outshines other taco restaurants due to its impressive ability to create Americanized innovative dishes, unlike Tijuana Flats which leans on the traditional side. Instead of the traditional Mexican taste, Tin & Taco does not 40 W. shy away from Washington St. experimenting with spicy and sweet flavors and Sun. - Thurs. natural ingredients. 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. I m m e d i a t e l y Fri. & Sat. after entering the 11 a.m. - 3 a.m. restaurant, one easily notices the quiet but $2.50-$8 photo/CHELSI PETER electric buzz the Beverages: craft DOS TACOS. The Tacosaurus (pictured left) is a beef restaurant naturally soda, soft drinks taco and the Bourbon Street taco (pictured right) is a portrays toward shredded chicken taco. The Bourbon Street taco is the good their customers. least ordered taco but brings ton of Asian flavors. Employees are for small groups, extremely patient lunch and dinner. and welcoming, they offer to answer tinandtaco.com any questions one may have if it is a first time visit to the restaurant. Aside from the outstanding customer service, the time it takes to receive orders rivals that of a fast food restaurant. In attempt to leave customers with an aesthetic but an appetizing meal, Tin & Taco serves their meals on a flat tin tray with the tacos placed flat down. Customers can then choose to eat the taco however they please, be it folded or flat down. Amusingly, the flat tacos served resemble an exploding volcano, yet another way the restaurant completely shies away from normality. From the punbased names to the eccentric flavors, the newest taco joint in the neighborhood stands out from every other restaurant around. Beyond that, Tin & Taco offers daily specials, consisting of two tacos of any kind for $8. Choosing two different tacos is encouraged, but not required for the deal. For an additional $3, customers have the option to add a third taco to the ‘Choose Your Style’ combos. A personal favorite, surprisingly the least ordered taco on the menu, the ‘Bourbon Street’ consists of shredded chicken, rice, mixed greens, green onions, chow mein and bourbon sauce. The menu item sets a striking example of how Chinese lo mein should harmoniously fuse with the taco. The exquisite flavors scream for one to take another mouth watering bite, an average response to the flavors Tin&Taco brings to the table. The menu ranges from shredded chicken, angus ground beef and slow to low braised shredded pork style tacos. Though there is one vegetarian option on the menu, ‘The Meatless’ (black bean and corn quinoa mix, the restaurant does not offer any vegan options. Those interested in the singular vegetarian option receive a taco filled with shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, jack and cheddar cheese, garlic cilantro sauce and potato sticks. Taco combinations aside, the joint serves a series of other modern menu photo/CHELSI PETER items, including a choose your way, TACOSAURUS ME IN. The Tacosaurus, the most which includes rice bowls, burritos, mixed popular taco on the menu, contains angus ground beef, green salads and a salad wrapped in a shredded lettuce, Pico de Gallo, jack and cheddar, tortilla. crushed Doritos, southwest sauce and cotija cheese. As fresh casual cuisine goes, Tin & Taco brings locals an extraordinary Mexican meal at a conveniently affordable price. Limited seating and tight space aside, the restaurant offers impeccable service and a peaceful environment to enjoy a meal. Not to mention the tasteful, jaw dropping food and good vibes that make Tin & Taco the best option for satisfying a modern, taco craving in downtown.
#the411 Where: 1322 25th St.
When: Tues. - Fri. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
How much: $1.50 to $8
Extras: good for groups, vegetarian and vegan options
Online: facebook. com/ mission kitcken orlando
photos/SAMAR BAIG
(top) GOOD AND FRESH. The fresh watermelon fresa can soothe anyone’s thirst on a hot summers day. Each specialty drink is made with fresh ingredients. (bottom) VEGAN VARIETY. The California Burrito pictured on the lower left is served with a creamy spicy chipotle ranch sauce that is creamy. While the quesadilla is served with a ranch sauce with a thin consistency.
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